Tanya Tagaq's Animism Makes Polaris Short List

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Tanya Tagaq

After much anticipation, the prestigious Polaris Music Prize released this year's short list and Brandon-based Inuit throat singer and composer Tanya Tagaq's acclaimed album Animism is one of the top 10 Canadian albums of the year.

Now in its ninth year, the coveted prize awards to $30,000 to the best full-length Canadian album. The jury makes its selection entirely on artistic merit and not sales figures. Past winners include Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Arcade Fire, Feist, Patrick Watson, and Karkwa. The ecclectic slate of albums was put forward by the 150 member jury -- which includes national music journalists, broadcasters, and bloggers.

Tagaq has had no shortage of raves for Animism, her fourth album, since its release on Toronto's Six Shooter Records in May, including coverage in The Globe and MailThe Star, NOW, Exclaim!, and many more

Tagaq joins a stellar list of Polaris long listed acts from Manitoba, including KEN mode, Cannon Bros., John K. Samson, Imaginary Cities, Christine Fellows, The Weakerthans, and Greg MacPherson. The Weakerthans made the short list with Reunion Tour in 2008.

The final winner will be revealed at a gala event on September 22 at the Polaris gala, also at The Carlu. That night an eleven-person grand jury, chosen from the larger jury pool, will be sequestered at the gala to vote for the winner. 

THE 2014 POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE SHORT LIST IS (In Alphabetical Order):
Arcade Fire – Reflektor
Basia Bulat – Tall Tall Shadow
Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
Drake – Nothing Was The Same
Jessy Lanza – Pull My Hair Back
Owen Pallett – In Conflict
Shad – Flying Colours
Tanya Tagaq – Animism
Timber Timbre – Hot Dreams
YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN - UZU

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